System and method of a flange seal ring

ABSTRACT

Method and system of a flange seal ring. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a metallic ring and a plurality of cogs. The metallic ring comprises a central bore that defines an internal diameter, a first sealing face that defines a first plane, a second sealing face that defines a second plane, a first groove in the first sealing face, and a second groove in the second sealing face. The plurality of cogs couple to the metallic ring, each cog extends through the first plane, and the plurality of cogs positioned one each at a plurality of radial positions around the metallic ring. At least one of the plurality of cogs configured to have an adjustable position relative to the central bore, and the cogs configured to align the central bore to a corresponding bore of a flange.

BACKGROUND

In situations where pipes need to be connected together in asemi-permanent fashion, each pipe end is fitted with a flange, and theflanges are bolted together. There are several types of flanges, definedin part by the type of sealing surface provided on each flange face. Forexample, a raised face flange has a sealing surface that is raised inrelation to the portion of the flange through which bolts extend, andthe raised face is either smooth or has shallow circular grooves. Whenmating raised face flanges, a gasket material is positioned between theraised faces and held in place by compressive forces supplied by thebolts. A ring-type joint (RTJ) flange is yet another example of a typeof flange. RTJ flanges have a circular ring groove on the flange face. Ametallic ring, or ring gasket, is placed between two RTJ flanges in thering groove, and the ring gasket is deformed or “coined” between theflanges to provide a seal. The compressive forces to deform the ringsupplied by the bolts.

In addition to different types of flanges, there are also differentratings for flanges, even of the same type. For example, a raised faceflange for 30 inch pipe may come in a variety of ANSI ratings directlyrelated to the internal pressure expected in the pipe. Size of thesealing surface for raised face flanges may vary slightly fromflange-to-flange for a given flange size, in spite of each flange havinga central passage of the same internal diameter. Likewise, the depth,width and/or location of a ring groove for RTJ flanges may change fordifferent pressure ratings or may vary slightly from flange-to-flange inspite of each flange having a central passage of the same internaldiameter.

Ultrasonic flow meters are used to measure fluid flow (e.g., naturalgas, oil, water) in a pipe. In some situations, ultrasonic meters areused to measure fluid flow for custody exchange purposes, and thusparticular accuracy is needed. In order to verify the accuracy of anultrasonic meter, new meters (and possibly rebuilt meters) require aflow calibration at a testing laboratory. However, selection of a flangetype and pressure rating for a meter is customer dependent. Situationsthus occur where a testing laboratory has a set of piping having aninternal diameter matching that of an ultrasonic meter (e.g., 30inches), as required by testing standards, but the testing laboratorymay have flanges with different seal types and/or different pressureratings. For example, the testing laboratory may use RTJ flanges havingfirst pressure rating, and the meter to be tested may use raised faceflanges having different pressure ratings than the RTJ flanges. Testinglaboratories have addressed the issue in the past by having a pluralityof pipe “spools” with each spool having different flange type on themeter end. However, construction and storing such spools is expensive,in some cases costing more than the meter to be tested.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a raised face flange;

FIG. 2 illustrates a ring-type joint flange;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flange seal ring in accordance with at least someembodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a block assembly in accordancewith at least some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional, elevation view of the blockassembly of FIG. 5 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional, elevation view of the blockassembly interacting with a raised face flange;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional, elevation view of the blockassembly interacting with a raised face flange having a raised faceoffset smaller than illustrated by FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a method in accordance with at least someembodiments.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art willappreciate, flow meter designers and manufacturers may refer to acomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name but not function.

In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and“comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should beinterpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, theterm “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect ordirect connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device,that connection may be through a direct connection, or through anindirect connection via other devices and connections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of theinvention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred,the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used,as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In addition, one skilled in theart will understand that the following description has broadapplication, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to beexemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that thescope of the disclosure is limited to that embodiment.

The various embodiments are directed to a flange seal ring that enablescoupling of flanges of varying types (e.g., raised face, ring-type joint(RTJ)) and in some cases varying pressure ratings, without the need foradapters or pipe “spools”. For example, the flange seal ring of thevarious embodiments enables coupling a meter (e.g., ultrasonic meter)having a 150 ANSI raised face flange to piping of a testing laboratoryhaving a 900 ANSI RTJ flange. Before turning to illustrative physicalembodiments of the flange seal ring, the specification digresses brieflyto a discussion of two specific types of flanges.

FIG. 1 illustrates a raised face flange 10 usable with the flange sealring of the various embodiments (not shown in FIG. 2). In particular,FIG. 1 illustrates both a cross-sectional view 12 and an elevation view14 of a raised face flange 10. The sealing feature of a raised faceflange is the raised face 16. The raised face 16 is defined by an insidediameter 18 of the central bore or central passage 20, and an outsidediameter 22 of the raised face 16. As the name implies, the raised faceis offset from the bolt face 24 by a distance “D”, which distance variesdepending on the pressure rating of the flange. For example, in somepressure ratings the offset D is 0.06 inches (1.524 millimeters (mm)),and yet for other, higher pressure ratings the offset D is 0.25 inches(6.35 mm). When coupling two raised face flanges, a gasket materialoccupies the space between the two sealing surfaces, and the seal isachieved by compressive force supply by bolts in bolt holes 26.

FIG. 2 illustrates a RTJ flange 30 usable with the flange seal ring ofthe various embodiments (not shown in FIG. 2). In particular, FIG. 2illustrates both a cross-sectional view 32 and an elevation view 34 ofthe RTJ flange 30. The sealing feature of a RTJ flange is ring groove36. The ring groove 36 lies between the central passage 38 and the boltholes 40. On some RTJ flanges, the surface 42 within which the ringgroove 36 is cut is also offset from the bolt face 44 by a distance “D”,but such an offset is not necessarily present. The width, depth and/ordiameter of the ring groove 36 may vary for different pressure ratings,with larger ring grooves 36 (and correspondingly larger metallic ringgaskets) for higher pressure ratings. When coupling two RTJ flanges, themetallic ring gasket is placed between the flanges, and the metallicring gasket resides at least partially within the ring groove 36 of eachflange. The seal is achieved by deforming the metallic ring gasket byway of the compressive force supply by bolts in bolt holes 40. Thespecification now turns to the illustrative embodiments of a flange sealring.

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevation view of a flange seal ring 50 inaccordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, FIG. 3illustrates the flange seal ring 50 comprises a metallic ring 52, and aplurality of block assemblies 54 (labeled 54A, 54B, and 54C in FIG. 3).In some embodiments, the metallic ring 52 is made of carbon steel. Inother embodiments, such as low pressure applications, other metals maybe equivalently used (e.g., aluminum). The metallic ring 52 defines acentral bore 56 having an internal diameter 58. The flange seal ring 50further comprises a sealing face 60 that defines a plane (in the case ofFIG. 3, the plane is parallel to the page). The central bore 56 issubstantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sealing face 60(i.e., perpendicular within manufacturing tolerances). Though notvisible in FIG. 3, the metallic ring 52 further comprises a secondsealing face on the opposite side of the metallic ring 52, which sealingface likewise defines a plane. In some embodiments, the plane defined bythe first sealing face 60 and the second sealing face are substantiallyflat (i.e., flat within manufacturing tolerances) and substantiallyparallel (i.e., parallel within manufacturing tolerances).

The metallic ring 52 further comprises an o-ring groove 62 thatencircles the intersection of the central bore 56 and the sealing face60. Again, though not visible in FIG. 3, the second sealing face on theopposite side likewise has an o-ring groove. In embodiments configuredfor use with a 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) diameter elastomeric o-ring, eacho-ring groove 62 is 0.375 inch (9.525 mm) in depth, 0.560 inch (14.224mm) in width at the sealing face 60, and has a 5 degree angle (thegroove becoming more narrow with depth into the metallic ring 52).O-rings of different diameter may be equivalently used, and the width,depth and/or angle of the o-ring grooves may change accordingly.

The flange seal ring 50 further comprises a plurality of blockassemblies 54. In the illustrative case of FIG. 3, three such blockassemblies 54 are present at equally spaced radial locations on theoutside diameter of the metallic ring 52. Though three such blockassemblies 54 are shown, greater or fewer block assemblies may beequivalently used. Each block assembly comprises a cog portion 64.Though the relationship of the cog portions 64 to the metallic ring 52are discussed more below, each of the cog portions extend through theplane defined by the sealing face 60 (i.e., out of the page). Inaccordance with some embodiments the cog portions 64 of the blockassemblies 54 are made of carbon steel, but in other embodiments (e.g.,smaller diameter metallic rings) the cog portions 64 may be made ofother materials (e.g., aluminum, plastic).

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a block assembly 54 inaccordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, FIG. 4illustrates that block assemblies in accordance with at least someembodiments comprise a housing 70 made up of an upper housing 72 andlower housing 74. The housing defines an interior volume 76 within whichresides a lead screw 78. The lead screw 78 comprises a shaft withexternal threads, and the cog 80 comprises an aperture with internalthreads. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cog 80 threadingly couples to thelead screw 78 by way of the aperture. By rotation of the lead screw 78,as illustrated by arrow 82, the location the cog 80 may be adjusted, asindicated by arrow 84. Cog 80 comprises multiple cog portions, but inthe perspective view of FIG. 4 only cog portion 64 is visible.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the block assembly 54taken substantially along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4. Moreover, FIG. 5illustrates portions of two flanges having differing sealing features inoperational relationship to the block assembly 54 and metallic ring 52.In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of raised face flange 90having a sealing feature in the form of a raised face 92, and a portionof a RTJ flange 94 having a sealing feature in the form of a ring groove96. The inside diameter 98 of the central bore of the metallic ring 52aligns with the inside diameters 100 and 102 of the raised face and RTJflanges 90 and 94, respectively. Two o-rings 104 and 106 reside one eachwithin the o-ring grooves 108 and 110, respectively. Because ofcompression force supplied by the bolts through the flanges, the o-rings104 and 106 compress between the flanges and their respective o-ringgrooves, forming a seal.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the block assembly 54 housing 70 comprisesthe upper housing 72 and the lower housing 74. Having a multiple-piecehousing enables insertion of the lead screw 78 and cog 80 within theinternal volume during assembly. After insertion of the various internalcomponents, the lower housing 72 is coupled to the upper housing 72,such as fasteners (e.g., bolts), welding or epoxy. Having the housing 70separable near its base is merely illustrative. The housing 70 may beequivalently separable at any location that facilitates insertion of thelead screw 78 and cog 80. Cog 80 comprises a large cog portion 112, asmall cog portion 114, and an internally threaded aperture 116. In theillustrative embodiments of FIG. 5, the large cog portion 112 isconfigured to extend through a plane defined by the sealing surface 60A,and the large cog portion 112 interacts or mates with a portion of thesealing feature of the RTJ flange 94. In particular, mitered portion 118of the large cog portion 112 contacts and/or couples to the ring groove96. The size of the ring groove 96 may change as between RTJ flangeswith differing pressure ratings (as illustrated by the dashed lines). Inthe event the flange seal ring 50 is used with a RTJ flange with largerring groove 96 but same central passage internal diameter, the positionof the cog 80 may be correspondingly changed by virtue of lead screw 78to ensure contact of the large cog portion 112 to the ring groove 96wall. In the configuration of FIG. 5, the small cog portion 114 extendsopposite the large cog portion 112, and resides between the planesdefined by the sealing surfaces 60A and 60B.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, elevation view of the block assembly 54similar to FIG. 5. Moreover, FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of a raisedface flange 120 in operational relationship to the large cog portion112. In particular, in addition to the mitered portion 118, the largecog portion 112 defines a notch 122. The notch 122 is configured tocouple and/or mate to an outside diameter of a raised face 124 of raisedface flange 120. Thus, the illustrative large cog portion 112 may beused in operational relationship to a ring groove of a RTJ flange or theraised face of a raised face flange. In the illustrative case of FIG. 6,the offset 126 may be 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), and thus the large cogportion 112 is long enough to interact with the ring groove of a RTJflange (FIG. 5) and define the notch 122 yet short enough to be usedwith the illustrated raised face flange. However, the offset 126 of araised face in relation to the bolt face 24 varies depending on thepressure rating of the flange. For lower pressure ratings, the offset126 may be significantly less than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm), and in suchcircumstances the large cog portion 112, if used, may hold the metallicring 52 and/or o-ring 106 away from the sealing feature of the flange.

In situations where the large cog portion 112 is too long, the portionof the cog 80 that extends through the plane of the sealing face 60A maybe changed by repositioning of the block assembly 54. Returning brieflyto FIG. 4, the block assembly 54 is held in place against the metallicring 52 by way of a plurality of bolts 86 (labeled 86A and 86B in FIG.4). When the flange seal ring is to be used with a flange where thelarge cog portion 112 is too long, the block assembly 54 may be removed(by removal of bolts 86), turned 180 degrees, and then re-attached tothe metallic ring 52. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional, elevationview of the block assembly 54 rotated in the metallic ring 52. Inparticular, rotation of the block assembly 54 results in the small cogportion 114 extending through the plane defined by sealing face 60A andlarge cog portion 112 being between the plane defined by the sealingsurface 60A and plane defined by the sealing face 60B (the planeillustrated by dashed line 130). Small cog portion 114 defines a notch132. The depth of notch 132 of the small cog portion 114 is smaller thannotch 122 of the large cog portion 112. The notch 132 is configured tocouple and/or mate to an outside diameter 134 of raised face 136. Theoffset of the raised face 136 of FIG. 7 is significantly smaller thanthat of FIG. 6 (e.g., the offset may be 0.06 inches (1.524 mm), thusmaking use of the large cog portion 112 improper.

Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIGS. 6 and 7, only oneflange is shown, the flange that interacts with the cog portionextending through the plane defined by sealing face 60A. Though a secondflange is not shown in either FIG. 6 or 7, it is noted that either typeflange may be in operational relationship to the sealing face 60B.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method in accordance with at least someembodiments. In particular, the method starts (block 800) and proceedsto placing a flange seal ring against a sealing feature of a firstflange (block 804). For example, the flange seal ring may be placedagainst a raised face of a raised face flange, or against the ringgroove of a RTJ flange. Next, the seal ring is centered with respect toa central passage through the first flange by adjusting position of oneor more cogs coupled to the seal ring (block 808). In some embodiments,centering the seal ring comprises adjusting a lead screw coupled to eachcog. Finally, a second flange is coupled to the first flange with theseal ring between the flanges (block 812), and the method ends (block816). The types of flanges that may be connected in accordance with themethod may have central bores having substantially the same diameter,but further may have different pressure ratings and/or different sealingsurface types.

Using a flange seal ring of the various embodiments may eliminate, or atleast reduce, the number of adapters or spools a testing laboratory mayneed to have on hand. Moreover, even in situations where flanges andpressure ratings as between a meter to be tested and the testinglaboratory are the same, the expense of gaskets or metallic ring seals(e.g., $1000 for a large diameter gasket or large diameter metallic ringseal) may be eliminated by the reusable nature of the flange seal ringof the various embodiments.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, in some embodimentsthe sealing faces of the metallic ring define their respectively planesby the entire sealing face lying in a plane; however, the sealing facesneed not be planar, and other forms may be equivalently used (e.g.,convex (bulging outwardly), or concave). It follows that a plane definedby a sealing face may be based any similar feature of the sealing face(e.g., peak of a convex sealing face, or valley of a concave sealingface). It is intended that the following claims be interpreted toembrace all such variations and modifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: placing a seal ring againsta sealing feature of a first flange; centering the seal ring withrespect to a central passage through the first flange by adjustingposition of a cog integral with the seal ring; and coupling a secondflange to the first flange with the seal ring between the flanges, thefirst and second flanges having internal bores of substantially the samediameter, and at least one selected from the group consisting of:different pressure ratings; and different sealing feature types.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein centering further comprises adjusting a leadscrew coupled to the cog.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising,prior to placing, orienting the cog relative to the sealing ring.
 4. Themethod of claim 3 wherein orienting further comprises orienting the cogrelative the seal ring, the cog configured to mate with an outsidediameter of a raised face of a raised face flange.
 5. The method ofclaim 3 wherein orienting further comprises orienting the cog relativethe seal ring, the cog configured to mate with a ring groove of aring-type joint flange.